which items have the longest shelf life? no rotting, falling apart

[BOLO]

I would say guns and bayonets last the longest of any other type of militaria

 

uniforms and leather gear seem to deteriorate the quickest over time

[Bluehawk]

If stored properly, then artifacts can last almost indefinitely.

 

Crucial problems:

1. No moisture and keep relative humidity relatively on the dryish side, though not dry

2. Acid-free interleaving for paper artifacts

3. No sunlight, ever

4. Not too hot or too cold or too great variation in either

5. Garments must be hung in such a way as to support them from ravages of gravity

6. Caution when storing dissimilar metals touching

7. Don't bury anything in the earth

8. Dust is an enemy, use boxes or sleeves or covering of some kind

9. Rodents and bugs and critters, kill them or keep them away

[ww2vault]

Hmm, very well put Bluehawk! You summed up the correct steps to take to help make sure you preserve your collection very nicely.

 

- Jeff

[Justin]

g

 

8. Dust is an enemy, use boxes or sleeves or covering of some kind

 

Is it true that dust can ruin mint stuff? aka, make it look used and not so MINTY, or will it clean off?

[Bluehawk]

Is it true that dust can ruin mint stuff? aka, make it look used and not so MINTY, or will it clean off?

Dust is an aglomeration of whatever is in the air where the stuff is stored, anything that is airborne, ANYTHING including gases, smokes, particles, chemicals, hair, pollen ANYTHING in the air, becomes part of dust.

 

Some is easy to blow away, some leaves nasty little deposits that eat stuff.

 

Wine bottles, you can expose to dust all you please.